Kensington Palace vs Buckingham Palace

Q: Can you visit both in one day?

Yes- do **Kensington** in the morning and a **Buckingham State Rooms** slot in the afternoon (summer), or swap in the **Royal Mews/King’s Gallery** outside summer. Allow transit time and book timed entries.

Q: Which is more budget-friendly?

Kensington’s standard adult tickets **from £24.70** undercut Buckingham’s **£35** State Rooms. Buckingham offers pricier premium tours; Kensington also has **£1 community tickets** for eligible visitors.

Q: Which is better for first-time visitors to London?

For the iconic “royal London” moment, pick **Buckingham** (in summer). For a deeper, museum-style palace that’s open most of the year, choose **Kensington**. Many travelers plan both.

Q: Which is better for kids?

**Kensington** tends to be easier with children thanks to story-led exhibits and gardens; near Buckingham, families often enjoy the **Royal Mews** with carriages and horses.

Q: What if I only have time for one?

Choose **Buckingham** if you’re visiting **July–September** and want the summer State Rooms; otherwise pick **Kensington** for a guaranteed, flexible palace visit year-round.

Q: Which has the “better” ceremonial experience?

Buckingham- its **State Rooms** circuit features the **Throne Room** and grand spaces; plus, the **Changing the Guard** takes place outside the palace on scheduled days.

Q: Are either included in city passes?

**Kensington Palace** is included with some London sightseeing passes (check latest pass details). **Buckingham State Rooms** generally require separate timed tickets via the Royal Collection Trust.

Q: How long do you need at each?

Plan **1.5–3 hours** for Kensington and **1.5–2 hours** for Buckingham’s State Rooms, more if adding the Mews/King’s Gallery.

Q: Which is bigger?

**Buckingham Palace-** it contains around **775 rooms** and serves as the monarch’s working residence; **Kensington** presents selected historic apartments and exhibition areas.

Quick comparison – Kensington Palace vs Buckingham Palace

Feature	Kensington Palace	Buckingham Palace
Location	Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX (West London).	Westminster, SW1A 1AA (central London).
Price (adult)	From £24.70 online; £1 community tickets available for eligible visitors.	£35.00 for State Rooms (2025 summer); premium guided East Wing tours from £90–£100.
What is it?	17th-century royal residence with curated exhibitions (e.g., Victoria: A Royal Childhood), King’s & Queen’s State Apartments, and formal gardens.	The monarch’s London residence; visit the State Rooms in summer, plus the Royal Mews and The King’s Gallery year-round.
Built / Age	Originally Kensington House (1605); expanded from 1689 under William & Mary.	Built 1703–05; became principal royal residence in 1837.
Size / Rooms	Museum-style wings and apartments (room counts vary by exhibition).	c. 775 rooms (palace figure).
Timings	Typically daily 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00).	Summer opening only for State Rooms (e.g., 10 Jul–31 Aug daily, 09:30–19:30; 1–28 Sep Thu–Mon, 09:30–18:30).
Duration needed	1.5–3 hours depending on exhibits.	1.5–2 hours for State Rooms; longer if adding Mews/Gallery.
Queues / Wait	Moderate; timed entry helps.	High in summer; tickets sell out- book ahead.
Best time to visit	Mornings on weekdays for calmer galleries.	Morning or late afternoon time slots in summer; check State Rooms dates.
Accessibility	Step-free routes and lifts; accessible loos; detailed station-to-entrance guidance.	Step-free State Rooms routes; access companion ticket free.
Kid-friendly	Good- story-led exhibits and open garden setting.	Formal; families enjoy the Royal Mews and Gallery outside State Rooms season.
Highlights	Victoria: A Royal Childhood, King’s/Queen’s State Apartments, Sunken Garden, The Orangery.	State Rooms (Throne Room, White Drawing Room), Changing the Guard (outside), Royal Mews, The King’s Gallery.
Dining	The Orangery afternoon tea (adjacent).	No café inside State Rooms; parks nearby for picnics.
Nearby attractions	Hyde Park, Royal Albert Hall, Design Museum, Notting Hill.	St James’s Park, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square.

Verdict – Which Should You Visit?

Short on time in central London? Choose Buckingham Palace- book a State Rooms slot in summer or visit the Royal Mews/King’s Gallery year-round.

Prefer a flexible, museum-style palace any season? Go for Kensington Palace- engaging exhibitions and historic apartments in leafy gardens.

Want the full royal picture? Do both- Buckingham for pageantry, Kensington for stories and interiors.

See two sides of royalty- ceremony & stories

Combine Buckingham’s State Rooms (summer) with Kensington’s exhibitions for a balanced royal day. Pre-book timed tickets to avoid sell-outs and long queues.

Secure your dates

Major differences between Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace explained

History & architecture

Kensington Palace: A 17th-century residence expanded under William & Mary; intimate apartments and evolving exhibition spaces.

Buckingham Palace: Early-18th-century mansion turned principal royal residence with grand neoclassical State Rooms and formal ceremonial spaces.

Experience highlights

Kensington: The King’s & Queen’s State Apartments, Victoria: A Royal Childhood, and gardens like the Sunken Garden; slower-paced, story-driven visit.

Buckingham: Summer State Rooms (Throne Room, White Drawing Room), plus the Royal Mews and The King’s Gallery nearby the rest of the year.

Atmosphere & audience

Kensington: Calmer galleries suited to families and history buffs; easy to pair with Hyde Park time.

Buckingham: The iconic “royal London” moment; busier and more formal in summer, especially around Changing the Guard.

Location & surroundings

Kensington: West London inside Kensington Gardens; near museums and parks.

Buckingham: In Westminster, walkable to London’s biggest sights and transport hubs.

When to visit

Kensington: Open most days, typically 10:00–18:00; last entry 17:00.

Buckingham: State Rooms open mid-Jul to late Sep only; choose off-peak times within your day.

Other practicalities

Kensington: Step-free routes and detailed access info; afternoon tea at The Orangery next door.

Buckingham: Step-free access on official routes; no café inside- use St James’s or Green Park.

Visiting Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace

Kensington Palace: Book timed tickets from £20.60 . Admission typically includes the King’s/Queen’s State Apartments and “Victoria: A Royal Childhood.” Community £1 tickets are available for eligible visitors- bring proof.
Buckingham Palace: For 2025 **** from £14 ****. The East Wing Highlights small-group guided tour (autumn/winter) runs from £90–£100. Royal Mews and The King’s Gallery operate much of the year. Pre-book early- slots sell out.
Both together: Pair Kensington any day with Buckingham in July–September. Add the Royal Mews/King’s Gallery if you’re outside summer. Booking both saves back-and-forth planning and helps you secure preferred times.
Independently: It’s realistic to do Kensington AM and a Buckingham PM State Rooms slot in summer, or Kensington + Royal Mews/King’s Gallery off-season. Allow travel/queue buffers and book timed entries for each.

Morning – Kensington Palace (10:00–12:30)

Walk/Tube: Arrive via High Street Kensington or Queensway; 10–15-minute walks through the gardens.
Highlights: King’s & Queen’s State Apartments; Victoria: A Royal Childhood.
Optional: Photos by the Sunken Garden, then tea or coffee near The Orangery.

Lunch (12:30–13:30)

Nearby cafés: Kensington High Street or The Orangery area.
Transfer: Tube or bus to Green Park / St James’s Park for Buckingham.

Afternoon – Buckingham Palace (14:30–16:30)

Entry: State Rooms (summer) via Buckingham Palace Road visitor entrance; or visit Royal Mews / The King’s Gallery other seasons.
Stroll: Exit through the gardens to St James’s Park for classic palace views.

Evening (Optional)

Nearby dinner: Victoria/Mayfair; evening walk past Westminster Abbey and Big Ben for night photos.

Kensington Palace

Address: Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX | Find on Maps
By tube: High Street Kensington (District/Circle) or Queensway (Central) ~10–15-minute walk.
By bus: Routes 9, 49, 52, 70, 452 to Kensington/Hyde Park edges.
By car: Driving not advised; limited/paid parking around Kensington.

Kensington Palace directions >

Buckingham Palace

Address: London SW1A 1AA | Find on Maps
By tube: Green Park, St James’s Park, Victoria, Hyde Park Corner (≈10-minute walks).
By bus: To Buckingham Palace Road/Constitution Hill (e.g., 11, 211, C1, C10).
By car: No public parking; use public transport.

Buckingham Palace directions >

Kensington Palace

Typical hours: 10:00–18:00, last entry 17:00 (check date-specific calendar)
Plan: Weekday mornings are calmest; exhibits are self-paced.

Kensington Palace timings >

Buckingham Palace

State Rooms 2025: 10 Jul–31 Aug (daily 09:30–19:30, last entry 17:30); 1–28 Sep (Thu–Mon 09:30–18:30, last entry 16:30).
Beyond summer: Consider the Royal Mews and The King’s Gallery
Plan: Book early; choose earlier/later slots to ease crowds.

Buckingham Palace timings >

Duration needed & best time to visit

Kensington Palace: 1.5–3 hours; mornings/weekday slots are smoothest.
Buckingham Palace: 1.5–2 hours for State Rooms; mornings or late-day entries in summer feel less congested.

Booking smart: Buckingham summer tickets sell out- secure dates as soon as your travel is fixed; consider weekday mornings.
Accessibility: Kensington and Buckingham both have step-free routes; at Buckingham, an access companion ticket is free- book it online.
Best photo spots: For Buckingham, shoot from St James’s Park bridge or the Victoria Memorial; at Kensington, include the Sunken Garden and Kensington Gardens paths. (
Time of year: If you’re in London outside July–September, prioritize Kensington, then add the Royal Mews / King’s Gallery for your royal fix.
Tea break: Reserve The Orangery for classic afternoon tea near Kensington- handy between palace visits.
Parks pairing: Build in stroll time- Kensington Gardens/Hyde Park in the morning; Green Park/St James’s Park after Buckingham.
Travel links: Use the District/Circle to High Street Kensington or Central line to Queensway for Kensington; Victoria/Piccadilly/Jubilee to Green Park for Buckingham.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kensington Palace vs Buckingham Palace

Can you visit both in one day?

Yes- do Kensington in the morning and a Buckingham State Rooms slot in the afternoon (summer), or swap in the Royal Mews/King’s Gallery outside summer. Allow transit time and book timed entries.

Which is more budget-friendly?

Kensington’s standard adult tickets from £24.70 undercut Buckingham’s £35 State Rooms. Buckingham offers pricier premium tours; Kensington also has £1 community tickets for eligible visitors.

Which is better for first-time visitors to London?

For the iconic “royal London” moment, pick Buckingham (in summer). For a deeper, museum-style palace that’s open most of the year, choose Kensington. Many travelers plan both.

Which is better for kids?

Kensington tends to be easier with children thanks to story-led exhibits and gardens; near Buckingham, families often enjoy the Royal Mews with carriages and horses.

How far apart are they?

About 3 miles (4.8 km) across central London parks and streets; allow ~25–35 minutes by tube/bus depending on connections. (Kensington Gardens to Westminster area.)

What if I only have time for one?

Choose Buckingham if you’re visiting July–September and want the summer State Rooms; otherwise pick Kensington for a guaranteed, flexible palace visit year-round.

Which has the “better” ceremonial experience?

Buckingham- its State Rooms circuit features the Throne Room and grand spaces; plus, the Changing the Guard takes place outside the palace on scheduled days.

Are either included in city passes?

Kensington Palace is included with some London sightseeing passes (check latest pass details). Buckingham State Rooms generally require separate timed tickets via the Royal Collection Trust.

How long do you need at each?

Plan 1.5–3 hours for Kensington and 1.5–2 hours for Buckingham’s State Rooms, more if adding the Mews/King’s Gallery.

Which is bigger?

Buckingham Palace- it contains around 775 rooms and serves as the monarch’s working residence; Kensington presents selected historic apartments and exhibition areas.